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ERGONOMICS
DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023

ERGONOMICS
“ Ergonomics (or Human factor ) is the scientific discipline concerned with the
understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of system, and the
profession that applies theory, principles, data and other methods to design in order
to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.” (According to the
International Ergonomics Association )
DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 2

ERGONOMICS
An applied scientific discipline concerned with how humans interact with the
tools and equipment they use while performing tasks and other activities
 Derived from the Greek words ergon, meaning work, and nomos, meaning
laws
 The word ergonomics was coined by British scientist K. F. H. Murrell and
entered the English language in 1949

HUMAN FACTORS
 Human factors is synonymous with ergonomics
 Ergonomics emphasizes work physiology and anthropometry
 Europe – industrial work systems
 Human factors emphasizes experimental psychology and systems engineering
 U.S. – military work systems

OBJECTIVES IN ERGONOMICS
 Greater ease of interaction between user and machine
 Avoid errors and mistakes
 Greater comfort and satisfaction in use of the equipment
 Reduce stress and fatigue
 Greater efficiency and productivity
 Safer operation
 Avoid accidents and injuries

ERGONOMICS APPLICATION
AREAS
 Work system design
 Objectives: safety, accident avoidance, improved functional performance
 Also includes environment such as lighting
 Product design
 Objectives: safety, comfort, user-friendly, mistake proof, avoidance of
liability lawsuits
ERGONOMISTS – WHAT THEY
DO
 Research on human capabilities and limitations
 Discover the characteristics of human performance, e.g., how much can an average worker
lift?
 Design and engineering applications
 Use the research findings to design better tools and work methods

FITTING THE PERSON TO THE
JOB
 Considers worker’s physical and mental aptitudes in employment
decisions
 For example, using worker size and strength as criteria for physical work
 Common philosophy prior to ergonomics
 FPJ is still important
 For example, educational requirements for technical positions

FITTING THE JOB TO THE
PERSON
 Opposite of FPJ
 Philosophy: design the job so that any member of the work force can perform
it
 Why the FJP philosophy has evolved:
 Changes in worker skill requirements
 Demographic changes (e.g. more women in the workforce)
 Social and political changes (e.g., equal opportunity laws)

HUMAN-MACHINE SYSTEMS
 Basic model in ergonomics
 Defined as a combination of humans and equipment interacting to achieve some

desired result
 Types of human-machine systems:

1. Manual systems
2. Mechanical systems
3. Automated systems
HUMAN-MACHINE
INTERACTIONS

SYSTEM COMPONENTS
 The human
 The equipment
 The environment

HUMAN COMPONENTS
 Human senses - to sense the operation
 Vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell
 Human brain - for information processing
 Thinking, planning, calculating, making decisions, solving problems
 Human effectors - to take action
 Fingers, hands, feet, and voice

MACHINE COMPONENTS
 The process – function or operation performed by human-machine system
 Displays - to observe the process
 Direct observation for simple processes
 Artificial displays for complex processes
 Controls - to actuate and regulate the process
 Steering wheel, computer keyboard

ENVIRONMENTAL
COMPONENTS
 Physical environment
 Location and surrounding lighting, noise, temperature, and humidity
 Social environment
 Co-workers and colleagues at work
 Immediate supervisors
 Organizational culture
 Pace of work

AREAS IN ERGONOMICS
Physical Ergonomics
Cognitive Ergonomics
Environmental Ergonomics
Occupational Health and Safety Ergonomics

PHYSICAL ERGONOMICS
 How the human body functions during physical exertion
 Physiology – vital processes carried out by living organisms and how their
constituent tissues and cells function
 How physical dimensions of the body affect capabilities of worker
 Anthropometry – physical dimensions of the human body

COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS
 Concerned with the capabilities of the human brain and sensory
system while performing information processing activities
 Human cognitive processes include:
 Sensing and perception
 Use of memory
 Response selection and execution

PHYSICAL WORK
ENVIRONMENT
 Visual environment
 Lighting levels and workplace design
 Auditory environment
 Intensity and duration of noise
 Climate
 Air temperature, humidity, air movement, and radiation

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH
 Occupational safety – concerned with the avoidance of industrial accidents
 One-time events that cause injury or fatality
 Occupational Health – concerned with avoiding diseases and disorders
caused by exposure to hazardous materials or conditions

 Develop after prolonged periods of exposure
 May take years before symptoms reveal the onset of the malady

PHYSICAL ERGONOMICS
 How the human body functions during physical exertion
 Physiology – vital processes carried out by living organisms and how their
constituent tissues and cells function
 How physical dimensions of the body affect capabilities of worker
 Anthropometry – physical dimensions of the human body

PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE
DEMANDS
Most work activities require a combination of physical
and cognitive exertions

THE OFFICE ENVIRONMENT
AND ERGONOMICS
 Computers are a vital part of the modern office environment.
 They only require a very small range of movement but allow us to work faster and more
efficiently.
 However, the human body is not designed for sitting at a computer workstation for long
periods of time. This means that physical and psychosocial injuries are more likely to occur.

MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURY (MSI)
 An injury or disorder of the soft tissues, including tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves or
related soft tissues arising from exposure to risk factors such as awkward posture, repetitive motions,
and forceful exertions. These injuries can be acute or cumulative.
 Muscle strains can occur suddenly, resulting from forceful exertion in a bent or twisted posture, but
many occur due to daily work that involves staying in one posture for long periods of time, which
results in muscle fatigue.
 Examples of such daily work includes holding a telephone for multiple or long calls, and repetitive
work such as keyboard and mouse tasks.

STAGES OF MSI
 STAGE 1:
Mild discomfort, present while working, but disappears when not working. Does not affect work or daily
living tasks. Completely reversible.
 STAGE 2:
Pain is present while working and continues when not working. May be taking pain medication(non-
prescription). Begins to affect work and daily living tasks. Completely reversible.
 STAGE 3:
Pain is present all the time. Work is affected. May not be able to complete simple daily tasks. Not reversible,
can improve (but not a full recovery).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF
MSI
 These can include tenderness, weakness, tingling, disturbed sleep, swelling,
numbness, pain, unreasonable fatigue, and difficulty performing tasks or

moving specific parts of the body.

CHAIR DESIGN
When workstations go wrong, the first place people typically look is their chair. Providing an
ergonomic chair does not benefit the user if the user does not know how to use and adjust the chair.
There are some basic guidelines to look for in a suitable office chair:
1.Provides lumbar support.
2.. Height can be adjusted.
3. Width is appropriate for the individual using the chair
.4. Backrest is adjustable.
5. Seat depth – well-fitted or adjustable..
6.Adjustable or removable armrests.

HEIGHT
 While standing, adjust the height of the chair so the highest point
of the seat is just below your kneecap. This should allow your feet
to rest firmly on the floor when seated.
 If you feel pressure near the back of the seat, raise you chair. If you
feel pressure near the front of the seat, lower your chair. The goal is
to evenly distribute your weight.

BACK SUPPORT & SEAT TILT
 When sitting, adjust the height of the backrest so the
lumbar pad supports the natural curve of your lower back

(lumbar curve). The tilt of the back support should allow
you to sit with your upper body slightly reclined (110
degrees is usually recommended).
 Seat tilt can be adjusted to improve your comfort. This will
also affect your weight distribution. A tilt of five degrees is

usually recommended.

DEPTH & WIDTH
 When sitting, the seat pan (part of the chair you sit on) should allow you
to use the back support without the front of the seat pressing against the
back of your knees. If the seat is too deep, try a back support to reduce the
size of the seat pan. Some chairs have adjustable seat pans.
 The seat pan should be wide enough so it does not apply pressure to your
thighs. Conversely, the seat should be narrow enough to be able to reach

the armrests when they are properly adjusted.

ARMRESTS
 Armrests can provide support for the upper part
of your forearms, thereby reducing the stress on

your shoulders and back.
 Also keep in mind that soft armrests will
minimize contact stresses on your elbows.

DISTANCE
 How far you sit from you monitor will depend on your vision,
your age and the size and resolution of your monitor.
 As a general rule, it is best to move the monitor as far away as
possible and increase the size of the font.
 Studies have found monitor distance should be between 60-90
cm.
 A good way to see if your monitor is far enough is to sit in
your neutral position (with the chair pulled in where you
would normally sit) and straighten your arm in front of you. If
your hand touches the monitor, it is likely too close.

HEIGHT AND LOCATION
 The monitor should be positioned directly in front of you with the top of the monitor just
below eye level.
 A common practice is to place the monitor on a computer case or stand (sometimes even
stacks of paper and phonebooks); however, this places the monitor much too high for most
individuals and causes neck discomfort and pain, leading to injury.
 The monitor should also be tilted 15 degrees for proper accommodation of the eye.

LIGHTING AND GLARE
 For computer use, only about 300-500 lux (SI unit of illuminance) is needed, whereas most
offices are lit to 1,000 lux. This is potential cause of glare, but it also wastes a significant
amount of energy.
 To test for glare, turn off your monitor. If the screen provides reflections, you have glare.
Since this glare is caused by light shining directly onto your screen, check its source.
 If it is a window, this can be corrected by positioning your monitor so that your line of sight
is parallel to the window.
 If this is not practical, cover the window with vertical blinds. If lighting is causing the glare,
the lights should be shaded or removed.

GOOD POSTURE VERSUS POOR POSTURE

TIPS FOR PREVENTING
MUSCLE STRAIN

POSTURE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT
WHEN LOOKING AT WORKSTATION DESIGN.
 Chairs, work surface, accessories, monitor and input devices
can help, or hinder, in maintaining good posture, but they

cannot cause good posture.
 Simply having an ergonomic chair does not guarantee good
posture, but merely facilitates neutral posture.
 It is up to the individual to learn and practice proper

posture.

REVIEW
 Repetitive motion tasks can lead to Musculo-Skeletal Disorders (MSDs).
􏰀 Maintain correct posture while sitting/standing/walking.

􏰀 Stretch muscles before and after work.
􏰀 Take regular breaks.
􏰀 Exercise regularly.
􏰀 Ensure workstation set up to be ergonomically correct.
􏰀 Ensure lighting in your work area is adequate.

􏰀 Report ergonomic hazards or symptoms to supervisor.

ERGONOMIC ASSESMENT
METHOD
OCRA
RULA
REBA
ROSA

OCRA METHOD
The OCRA method can be used for the assessment of the risk of repetitive movements of
elbows, wrists and hands in cases where:
 one or both upper extremities moves in cycles of less than 30 seconds,
 these or similar cycles are performed for more than 50% of the working time,
 the cycles are frequent and are identical or similar in nature.

RULA
 The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was developed to “rapidly”
evaluate the exposure of individual workers to ergonomic risk factors

associated with upper extremity MSD.
 The RULA ergonomic assessment tool considers biomechanical and postural
load requirements of job tasks/demands on the neck, trunk and upper

extremities.

REBA
 The Rapid Entire Body Assessment tool uses a systematic process to evaluate both upper and
lower parts of the musculoskeletal system for biomechanical and MSD risks associated with
the job task being evaluated.
 A single page worksheet (above) can be used to evaluate required or selected body posture,
forceful exertions, type of movement or action, repetition, and coupling.

RAPID OFFICE STRAIN
ASSESSMENT (ROSA)
 ROSA is a picture based posture checklist designed to quantify exposure to
risk factors in an office work environment.
 The goal of the ROSA process is to serve as a screening tool to identify areas
of priority in large office based organizations.
 Scores of greater than 5 are deemed to be “high risk” and the workstation
should be assessed further.

SOFTWARE
ErgoMaster is comprised of
several different analysis
modules such as Lift analyst,
postural analyst, Biomechanical
analyst, Task analyst.

HUMAN CAD
 HumanCAD digital human
modeling technology is an
important tool in determining the
human fit of products and
workplaces before they are built.
This includes looking at comfort
zones for certain tasks.

VIBROMETER
 Instrument for the assessment of
vibration for occupational health

(risk at work) and building
regulations.

METABOLIC ANALYSER
 Ergospirometer is a portable unit for
exercise tests of respiratory and

circulatory systems.
 heart rate per minute; metabolism unit
(1MET=3.5ml/min/kg), oxygen
consumption, carbon dioxide exhalation,
breathing frequency and maximum
aerobic capacity can be measure for the
subject
LUXMETER & SOUND LEVEL
METER

 Cognitive ergonomics is a scientific discipline that studies, evaluates, and designs tasks, jobs,
products, environments and systems and how they interact with humans and their cognitive
abilities.
 An emerging branch of ergonomics that places particular emphasis on the analysis of cognitive
processes
 Cognitive processes:
– Diagnosis
– Decision making
– Planning

PHYSICAL ERGONOMICS VS
 Physical ergonomics focuses on our bodies
 Cognitive ergonomics is interested in what goes on in our brains:
– the way our senses perceive information

– the way in which we understand and interpret it
– what determines the decisions we make

MODELS OF COGNITIVE
ERGONOMICS:
Recent models of cognitive ergonomics involve three dimensions:
 Usefulness
 usability
 acceptance

USABILITY:
 The degree to which a product or service is easy to use, easy to learn, and optimized for
efficiency
 ISO 9241-11 “Guidance on Usability”
 Extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with
effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction

 Effectiveness - Accuracy and completeness with which users achieve specified
goals
 Efficiency - Resources expanded in relation to the accuracy and completeness
with which users achieve goals
 Satisfaction - Freedom from discomfort, and positive attitudes towards the user
of the product .

GOALS OF COGNITIVE
FUNCTION
Aims at enhancing performance of cognitive tasks by:
 User-centered design of human- machine interaction and human- computer interaction
 Design of information technology systems that support cognitive tasks (e.g., cognitive
artifacts)
 Development of training programs
 Work redesign to manage cognitive workload and increase human reliability .
 The way people perceive and act has direct implications for the design of the artefacts and
environment that they use Mind is as comfortable at work as the body.

PRINCIPLES OF MOTION
ECONOMY
 Developed over many years of practical experience in work design
 Guidelines to help determine
 Work method
 Workplace layout
 Tools, and equipment
 Objective: to maximize efficiency and minimize worker fatigue

THREE CATEGORIES OF
PRINCIPLES
1. Principles that apply to the use of the human body
2. Principles that apply to the workplace arrangement
3. Principles that apply to the design of tooling and equipment

USE OF HUMAN BODY
1. Design work to fully utilize both hands
2. The two hands should begin and end their motions at the same
time
3. Hand and arm motions should be symmetrical and simultaneous
4. Design work to favor preferred hand
5. Worker’s two hands should not be idle at the same time

USE OF HUMAN BODY
6. Method should consist of smooth continuous curved motions
rather than straight motions with abrupt changes in direction
7. Use momentum to facilitate task
8. Take advantage of gravity – Don’t oppose it
9. Method should achieve a natural rhythm of the motions involved
10. Minimize eye focus and travel

USE OF HUMAN BODY
11. Use lowest classification of hand and arm motion (five
classifications)
1) Finger
2) Finger and wrist
3) Finger, wrist, and forearm
4) Finger, wrist, forearm, and upper arm
5) Finger, wrist, forearm, upper arm, and shoulder
12. Design method to utilize feet and legs where appropriate

WORKPLACE ARRANGEMENT
 Normal and maximum working areas in the
workplace (key and dimensions given in
text)

1. Locate tools and materials in fixed positions within the work
area
2. Locate tools and materials close to where they are used
3. Locate tools and materials to be consistent with sequence of
work elements

ILLUSTRATION OF FIRST
THREE PRINCIPLES
Poor arrangement of parts and
tools in workplace

ILLUSTRATION OF FIRST
THREE PRINCIPLES
Good arrangement of parts and
tools in workplace

4. Use gravity feed bins to deliver small parts and fasteners
Two types of bins

used for small parts
and fasteners in the
workplace:
(a) gravity feed bin
(b) conventional
rectangular bin

5. Use gravity drop chutes for completed work units where
appropriate
6. Provide adequate illumination
7. A proper chair should be provided for the worker
 Adjustable to the size of the worker
 Seat height and back adjustments
 Padded seat and back

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR FOR
WORKPLACE

DESIGN OF TOOLING AND
EQUIPMENT
1. Workholding devices should be designed for the task
2. Hands should be relieved of work elements that can be
performed by the feet using foot pedals
3. Combine multiple functions into one tool where possible
4. Perform multiple operations simultaneously rather than
sequentially

DESIGN OF TOOLING AND
EQUIPMENT
5. Where feasible, perform operation on multiple parts
simultaneously
6. Design equipment controls for operator convenience and error
avoidance
7. Hand tools and portable power tools should be designed for
operator comfort and convenience
8. Mechanize or automate manual operations if economically and
technically feasible

NEED FOR ERGONOMICS IN
PIPELAYING
Pipe laying is a physical process.
It is labour intensive.
Involving low level of mechanization.
Using heavy equipment like cranes, excavators…

ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS AT WORKPLACE
Exposure to vibration & noise.
Climatic conditions & Terrain.
Handling heavy materials and equipments.
Use of body force.

WORKING POSTURES
Bending & Twisting.
Working in awkward or cramped position.
Reaching away from the body and overhead.
Repetitive movements.
Climbing and descending.

COMMON INJURIES
Sprains and Strains of Back, Shoulder, Knee.
Musculoskeletal problems- Muscles and Bone joints.
Almost 40% are affected and continue to work hurt – reduced

productivity.
Many retire at 55, neither can work anymore nor enjoy

retirement.

OTHER LOSSES
Absenteeism.
Reduced Productivity.
Marginalized quality.
Delay in scheduled performance.
Increase in project cost.

ERGONOMIC SOLUTIONS
 Ergonomics is finding a way to work easier and safer.
 Ergonomics solutions are non expensive and it requires -
 Planning.
 Tools and Equipments.
 Training.
 Cooperation.

PLANNING
Planning the job to minimize manual handling.
To ensure the availability of the equipments.
Materials are stored as close to the work.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTS
To use ergonomically designed tools.
Use carts, dollies and hoists.
Use handles when carrying loads.
Use PPEs like – Kneepads, shoulder pads to reduce contact

stress.
TRAINING AND COOPERATION
Train to identify ergonomic risks.
Train to communicate the solutions.
Get help for lifting heavy loads.

THANK YOU

REFERENCES :-
 Ergonomics for Therapist – Third edition , Karen Jacobs
 Office ergonomics , practical application– Céline McKeown ,
CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group

 Easy ergonomics for desktop computer user, Department of Industrial Relations
,Cal/OSHA Consultation Service, Research and Education Unit
 Cornell University Ergonomics Web, DEA 3250/6510 CLASS NOTES
 lowa State University , environmental health and safety

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ERGONOMICS

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 2

 The word ergonomics was coined by British scientist K. F. H. Murrell and

entered the English language in 1949

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 3

 Ergonomics emphasizes work physiology and anthropometry

 Europe – industrial work systems

 Human factors emphasizes experimental psychology and systems engineering

 U.S. – military work systems

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 4

 Avoid errors and mistakes

 Greater comfort and satisfaction in use of the equipment

 Reduce stress and fatigue

 Greater efficiency and productivity

 Avoid accidents and injuries

 Objectives: safety, accident avoidance, improved functional performance

 Also includes environment such as lighting

 Objectives: safety, comfort, user-friendly, mistake proof, avoidance of

 Design and engineering applications

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 7

 Common philosophy prior to ergonomics

 FPJ is still important

 For example, educational requirements for technical positions

 Why the FJP philosophy has evolved:

 Changes in worker skill requirements

 Demographic changes (e.g. more women in the workforce)

 Social and political changes (e.g., equal opportunity laws)

 Defined as a combination of humans and equipment interacting to achieve some

 Types of human-machine systems:

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 11

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 12

 Vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell

 Human brain - for information processing

 Thinking, planning, calculating, making decisions, solving problems

 Human effectors - to take action

 Fingers, hands, feet, and voice

 Displays - to observe the process

 Direct observation for simple processes

 Artificial displays for complex processes

 Controls - to actuate and regulate the process

 Steering wheel, computer keyboard

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 14

 Location and surrounding lighting, noise, temperature, and humidity

 Co-workers and colleagues at work

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 15

Occupational Health and Safety Ergonomics

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 16

constituent tissues and cells function

 How physical dimensions of the body affect capabilities of worker

 Anthropometry – physical dimensions of the human body

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 17

system while performing information processing activities

 Human cognitive processes include:

 Sensing and perception

 Response selection and execution

DoIE, ANNA UNIVERSITY 14/12/2023 18

 Lighting levels and workplace design

 Intensity and duration of noise

 Air temperature, humidity, air movement, and radiation

 One-time events that cause injury or fatality

 Occupational Health – concerned with avoiding diseases and disorders

caused by exposure to hazardous materials or conditions